Garmin® Expands G950™ Flight Deck Upgrade Program

Garmin International Inc. today announced the addition of supplemental type certificate (STC) approval of the G950 Integrated Flight Deck (IFD) in the Metroliner and Twin Otter aircraft, expanding our G950 portfolio to six aircraft models. The G950 solves avionics obsolescence, meets regulatory requirements, improves dispatch reliability and expands the operational life and capabilities of these venerable aircraft.

“The G950 upgrade programs provide next generation avionics capability with an impressive feature set at a fraction of the cost of traditional flight deck retrofits,” said Carl Wolf, vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “Garmin has teamed with highly capable industry partners who see value in offering a fully integrated avionics suite and desire to add more utility to these aircraft, so they can continue to serve the diverse needs of their customers.”

The G950 flight deck provides a simple path for aircraft owners to upgrade to an integrated avionics package, which assures the aircraft is equipped for the future. Navigation, communication, terrain, traffic and weather are integrated in the G950, making information easier to scan and interpret. The G950 offers a flexible design and adapts to a broad range of aircraft models, so the flight deck is customized for each aircraft. Configurations may comprise of two or three high-resolution primary and multi-function displays, which offer display sizes that range from 10 or 12-inch flat panel LCDs. A 15-inch multi-function display offers even further customization for qualifying airframes.

The G950 includes all of the features of Garmin’s renowned G1000® Integrated Flight Deck, while integrating to select autopilots already approved for the aircraft, further reducing cost and installation complexity. Enhanced situational awareness provided by Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT™) is optionally available on the G950, which presents a 3D depiction of virtual terrain, obstacles, traffic and the runway environment. SVT works seamlessly with Garmin’s Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) to provide visual and audible alerts to pilots by displaying terrain and obstacles that pose a threat. The G950 also delivers ADS-B Out compliance, equipping older generation aircraft with NextGen technology. Additional features of the G950 include solid-state digital radar, satellite datalink, WAAS/LPV approach capability, charts and more, providing owners and operators with safety enhancing technology previously not available on their aircraft.

Replacement of existing avionics with the G950 can provide an estimated weight savings of up to 250 pounds, allowing operators the ability to carry additional passengers or cargo with the same fuel load. In addition to increased utility, the G950 offers greater reliability and delivers tangible operational cost benefits. Operators not only receive safety enhancing situational awareness tools and NextGen capabilities with the G950 flight deck upgrade, but also notice a significantly higher aircraft resale value.

The G950 upgrade is currently available on the Cessna Citation 501, Piper Meridian, Beechcraft 1900D, Twin Commander, Metroliner and the De Havilland Twin Otter. Features and G950 flight deck configurations vary by airframe. For more information about Garmin’s full line of avionics, contact us at sales@pilotronics.com